Ever since I started shearing Dinah, Katie has been a butthead. She has kept to herself ever since arriving here last winter, and other than protecting her lambs, has been a meek and mild member of my little flock. But Dinah's change in appearance, combined perhaps with surging hormones, has turned Katie into a mean, aggressive dominatrix! Since Wednesday evening I've locked her in the corner pen of the fold; today, since it is warmer and dry, they are all out in the sheep lot where Dinah has more room to run away. Unfortunately, she has to run a LOT, because Katie pursues her all over the place, and when chubby Dinah stops to catch her breath, Katie starts butting her again. Butthead.
This situation has aggravated the melancholy I feel over selling Dinah. She is the first Shetland I fell in love with, and the one-on-one time we've had together the last couple days while I sheared her has been special. But she is not "extra fine and soft" by any stretch, is down a bit in her rear pasterns, and does not carry polled, so a non-breeding home really is better for her. I hope she and Barry can live out the rest of their days together as loved and spoiled pets; that is my prayer.
That's it for now from . . .
9 comments:
I had this vision that sheep we always nice to each other. I love reading your blog, even if I don't know a lot about sheep; they are all such little characters. Have a great day!
I did, too, Sheila, but have learned that they can be really mean - and brutal! But they are also scaredy-cats, so when they trust you enough to seek attention, it is really special.
Is that where the term "ButtHead" came from in human talk? I can remember my Mom saying that her sister was acting like a Butt Head.
I enjoy your blog so much... and all the writings about your sheep.. I love it~!
I don't know for sure, Tiggeriffic, but it sure does fit. Thanks so much for your kind words; it means so much when people enjoy what I do here!
Bully is another ag based word that the roots have been forgotten. A bull naturually pushes his way to the frunt and middle of anything new and exciting, to dominate the attention.
-Susan
I am giving Katie the benefit of the doubt with the excuse that she was trying to chase away that "new" sheep...but it is still baa-a-a-d behavior!
People often think of sheep as soft, fluffy, and placid. Nope. They got moods and 'tudes. Some are sweet, and some lazy, and some just *have* to get into every kind of trouble they can find or invent. And some... Well, they get sent to the butcher, 'cause they're no dang good for anything else.
Yep; sounds like you've known your share, Masked Man!
And why do we do this shepherding thing you ask??? Because we love it,sheepy attitudes and all. Makes me furious when people say sheep are dumb.Obviously they have never worked with them. Thanks for the laugh.
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